Mark 10:5
“And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.”
Mark 10:5 (KJV) says: “And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.”
Context: To understand the verse better, it’s essential to examine its context. In Mark 10, Jesus is teaching about marriage and divorce. The Pharisees approached Jesus to test Him by asking whether it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife. In response, Jesus refers to the creation account in Genesis and emphasizes the permanence of marriage.
Jesus’ response: In verse 5, Jesus addresses the Pharisees’ question by pointing out that Moses allowed divorce due to the hardness of people’s hearts. The precept or commandment mentioned here refers to the provision for divorce found in the Mosaic Law. Jesus explains that it was given because of the stubbornness and unyielding nature of the Israelites at that time.
Hardness of heart: The phrase “hardness of your heart” refers to the spiritual condition of the people during the time of Moses. It signifies their stubbornness, lack of understanding, and disobedience to God’s original plan for marriage. Despite God’s intention for a lifelong commitment between a husband and wife, the Israelites’ hearts were hardened, leading to the necessity of divorce regulations.
Purpose of the precept: Jesus acknowledges the existence of the Mosaic provision for divorce but emphasizes that it was not part of God’s original plan. God’s desire from the beginning was for a lifelong union in marriage. The precept was given to regulate divorce within the cultural context of the time but not as an endorsement of divorce itself.
Jesus’ teachings on marriage: Following this verse, Jesus goes on to restate God’s original design for marriage, stating, “But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh” (Mark 10:6-8, KJV). Jesus reaffirms the sanctity and permanence of marriage, emphasizing the unity and oneness between a husband and wife.
